Belgian Court Nears Decision in Lior Refaelov Transfer Case
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
A Belgian court is expected to rule within days on a case involving former Israeli footballer Lior Refaelov and his 2018 transfer to Royal Antwerp. The dispute concerns whether Refaelov qualifies as a Belgian player under UEFA regulations. An Advocate General has supported Refaelov's claims, suggesting the regulations are illegal and could lead to major changes in European football if adopted.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A Belgian court is expected to rule within days on the Lior Refaelov transfer case.
- The case questions whether Refaelov qualifies as a Belgian player under UEFA rules.
- Antwerp signed Refaelov in 2018 believing he met domestic player criteria.
- A subsequent UEFA regulation reclassified Refaelov as a foreign player.
- An Advocate General supported Refaelov's claims, deeming regulations illegal.
- The ruling could significantly impact European football transfer regulations.
A Belgian court is expected to rule within days on a high-profile case involving former Israeli footballer Lior Refaelov and his transfer to Royal Antwerp FC in 2018. The case, described as potentially "shaking up the transfer market and UEFA," centers on Refaelov's status as a Belgian player. Antwerp signed Refaelov from Club Brugge, believing he would qualify as a domestic player due to his recently acquired Belgian citizenship, in addition to his Israeli nationality.
However, shortly after Refaelov joined Antwerp, the Belgian FA adopted a UEFA regulation stipulating that a player is only considered Belgian if they trained and developed in Belgium for at least three seasons between the ages of 15 and 21. This change reclassified Refaelov as a foreign player.
In 2020, Refaelov and Antwerp initiated legal proceedings against the Belgian FA, which were initially dismissed by the Belgian Court of Arbitration for Sport. The case then moved to the Brussels court, which referred the matter to the European Union's Court of Justice.
Advocate General Maciej Szpunar supported Refaelov and Antwerp's claims, arguing that while the regulations aim to protect young players, they are illegal and unfairly benefit larger national markets while hindering freedom of movement. Szpunar did not make a final ruling but sent his conclusions back to the Brussels court.
Belgian media suggests it will be difficult for the Belgian FA and UEFA to convince the Brussels court to disregard Szpunar's opinion. If the court adopts his conclusions, it could lead to a significant revolution in European football, potentially ending quotas for local players on matchday squads.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Only N12 so far.
